Calling it like it is, Easter is not going to be the same this year. Thankfully we have Zoom and a way for families to “be together” even while apart. During these trying times of social distancing, everyone needs to get creative. These shortbread peep cookies are my creative way to celebrate Easter, since I’m […]

If you have ever baked for Passover, I think it’s fair to say that dietary restrictions can be challenging. The absence of leavening agents leaves most home bakers bewildered at the prospect of an overly dry, leaden Passover dessert no one wants to eat. Enter the old reliable; flourless chocolate cake. This dessert has rightfully […]

Sometimes homemade is simply better, as is the case with pita bread. Be honest, you know exactly what I’m talking about. While store-bought pita has its purpose, when making homemade bread is not an option, but a lot is lost by sitting on the shelf. And that cardboard taste is real. I’m not a fan […]

I love soup. Soup is comforting, healing, often healthy, hearty, and, except consommé, relatively easy to make. I honestly think I could eat soup every day, even in the summer. This black bean soup is a favorite of my family.  To me it is simple, subtle, and nourishing, and one I have made recently while in […]

As a kid, I was never a big bread eater. Crackers, of almost any variety, were my go-to. There were, however, a few breads I never said no to, and naan was one of them. Naan, the well-known Indian favorite is a flatbread typically made with a dry yeast, all-purpose flour, warm water, sugar, salt, […]

Tart, citrusy, and boozy is what I was going for with this gin and grapefruit cocktail. And let’s be honest, it’s needed right now. Strip it down and you have a gin and tonic base but the fresh pink grapefruit juice, lemon, and mint elevate this classic drink to a whole new playing field and […]

Muesli is a cereal I fell in love with when I traveled to Iceland a few years ago. Iceland is truly an amazing place and I enjoyed everything I did while traveling there. And I loved the special homemade foods. Nutty whole-grain goodness was seen throughout Iceland in bread and cereals, with subtle yet distinct […]

March 20, 2020 Today is a special day. Today is my 3rd year blog anniversary. A true labor of love. And although I only do this in my spare time, I am proud of myself for every day that I can continue doing it. Sadly, because of COVID-19, I am unable to go out or […]

In the United States St. Patrick’s Day is typically a big deal. I happen to be part Irish, but I am astonished by how elaborate this holiday has become in the States. Instagram goes green weeks before and recipes from green burgers to green cinnamon buns with green frosting flood my feed as I recoil, […]

A Special Note With COVID-19 slowly closing in on my Northern California area, I’ve been too distracted to write or post these days. But today, with my boys home from school, the reality of this pandemic is truly settling in. Cancelations of life events make me feel like a giant “pause” button has been pressed on […]

Chicken is a go-to dinner option for most of us. But chicken gets boring. The good news is, that there are thousands of different things one can do with chicken, many that are easy and flavorful, you just need to implement them and mix them into your repertoire. And chicken piccata is one of those […]

My love of apricots is no secret. Nor is it a surprise (at least for those who know me) that at 47, I still don’t consider myself a morning person. Not at all, but I’ve accepted it. With kids, this can be challenging. This is a recipe for apricot-almond breakfast bars that I created for […]

Like potato latkes, Hamantaschens are something my family enjoys year-round, not just on Purim. Purim is the Jewish holiday to celebrate the Jewish people being saved from Haman. The tradition of eating hamantaschen on Purim began in Europe. The name is derived from two German words: “mohn“, meaning poppy seed, and “teschen“, meaning pockets. “Mohntaschen” […]

This is one of my favorite easy and healthful salads; roasted cauliflower and chickpeas with honey mustard vinaigrette. This wonderful, flavorful cauliflower and chickpea salad is not my recipe, it’s from Half Baked Harvest. I have only lightly adapted the recipe, mainly reducing the heat factor, but the original recipe can be seen here. This […]

This is my beef ragù with pappardelle and it is a keeper. Hearty, comfort food that’s perfect for the dead of winter. The word “ragù” comes from the French word “ragoutier,” which means “awake your appetite“.  Ragù originated as a simple meat sauce, traditionally made with leftovers, and served as accompaniment to pasta. There is evidence that […]